Metropolitan Association for Improving the Dwellings of the Industrious Classes
Encyclopedia
The Metropolitan Association for Improving the Dwellings of the Industrious Classes (MAIDIC) was a Victorian
-era, philanthropically
-motivated Model Dwellings Company
, a fore-runner of the modern housing association
which sought to provide affordable housing for the working classes on a privately-run basis, with a financial return for investors. Although not the first society to build such homes, the Association was the first to be founded expressly for this purpose. As such it was one of the earliest adopters of the principal of the five per cent philanthropy model, outlined in the Company's resolution: "that an association be formed for the purpose of providing the labouring man with an increase of the comforts and conveniences of life, with full return to the capitalist."
, George Howard, 7th Earl of Carlisle, Viscount Ebrington, Lord Haddo
, and Sir Ralph Howard and incorporated by Royal Charter in 1845. Its first project was the Metropolitan Buildings in Old Pancras Road, Kings Cross
, which consisted of 21 two-room and 90 three-room flats in five-storey blocks. It was demonstrated as an archetype of model dwellings and was visited by the Prince Consort in 1848, as well as William Gladstone, Charles Kingsley
, Lord Shaftesbury
, Charles Dickens
and the Duke of Wellington
. The principal architect on many of these dwellings was Henry Roberts
who pioneered many types of model dwelling, working also with the Society for Improving the Condition of the Labouring Classes.
By 1900, the MAIDIC was one of the largest model dwellings companies operating in London, housing over 6,000 individuals. Its activities declined as other model dwellings companies and the Greater London Council
grew, which offered lower rents to a wider range of candidates.
The MAIDIC later became the Metropolitan Property Association.
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
-era, philanthropically
Philanthropy
Philanthropy etymologically means "the love of humanity"—love in the sense of caring for, nourishing, developing, or enhancing; humanity in the sense of "what it is to be human," or "human potential." In modern practical terms, it is "private initiatives for public good, focusing on quality of...
-motivated Model Dwellings Company
Model dwellings company
Model Dwellings Companies were a group of private companies in Victorian Britain that sought to improve the housing conditions of the working classes by building new homes for them, at the same time receiving a competitive rate of return on any investment...
, a fore-runner of the modern housing association
Housing association
Housing associations in the United Kingdom are independent not-for-profit bodies that provide low-cost "social housing" for people in housing need. Any trading surplus is used to maintain existing homes and to help finance new ones...
which sought to provide affordable housing for the working classes on a privately-run basis, with a financial return for investors. Although not the first society to build such homes, the Association was the first to be founded expressly for this purpose. As such it was one of the earliest adopters of the principal of the five per cent philanthropy model, outlined in the Company's resolution: "that an association be formed for the purpose of providing the labouring man with an increase of the comforts and conveniences of life, with full return to the capitalist."
History
The Association was formed in 1841 by a group including Thomas Southwood SmithThomas Southwood Smith
Thomas Southwood Smith , English physician and sanitary reformer, was born at Martock, Somersetshire.While a medical student in Edinburgh he took charge of a Unitarian congregation. In 1816 he took his M.D...
, George Howard, 7th Earl of Carlisle, Viscount Ebrington, Lord Haddo
George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen
George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen KG, KT, FRS, PC , styled Lord Haddo from 1791 to 1801, was a Scottish politician, successively a Tory, Conservative and Peelite, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1852 until 1855.-Early life:Born in Edinburgh on 28 January 1784, he...
, and Sir Ralph Howard and incorporated by Royal Charter in 1845. Its first project was the Metropolitan Buildings in Old Pancras Road, Kings Cross
Kings Cross, London
King's Cross is an area of London partly in the London Borough of Camden and partly in the London Borough of Islington. It is an inner-city district located 2.5 miles north of Charing Cross. The area formerly had a reputation for being a red light district and run-down. However, rapid regeneration...
, which consisted of 21 two-room and 90 three-room flats in five-storey blocks. It was demonstrated as an archetype of model dwellings and was visited by the Prince Consort in 1848, as well as William Gladstone, Charles Kingsley
Charles Kingsley
Charles Kingsley was an English priest of the Church of England, university professor, historian and novelist, particularly associated with the West Country and northeast Hampshire.-Life and character:...
, Lord Shaftesbury
Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury
Anthony Ashley Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury KG , styled Lord Ashley from 1811 to 1851, was an English politician and philanthropist, one of the best-known of the Victorian era and one of the main proponents of Christian Zionism.-Youth:He was born in London and known informally as Lord Ashley...
, Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens
Charles John Huffam Dickens was an English novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian period. Dickens enjoyed a wider popularity and fame than had any previous author during his lifetime, and he remains popular, having been responsible for some of English literature's most iconic...
and the Duke of Wellington
Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, KG, GCB, GCH, PC, FRS , was an Irish-born British soldier and statesman, and one of the leading military and political figures of the 19th century...
. The principal architect on many of these dwellings was Henry Roberts
Henry Roberts (architect)
Henry Roberts was a British architect best known for Fishmongers' Hall in London and for his work on model dwellings for workers.-Biography:...
who pioneered many types of model dwelling, working also with the Society for Improving the Condition of the Labouring Classes.
By 1900, the MAIDIC was one of the largest model dwellings companies operating in London, housing over 6,000 individuals. Its activities declined as other model dwellings companies and the Greater London Council
Greater London Council
The Greater London Council was the top-tier local government administrative body for Greater London from 1965 to 1986. It replaced the earlier London County Council which had covered a much smaller area...
grew, which offered lower rents to a wider range of candidates.
The MAIDIC later became the Metropolitan Property Association.
Buildings
- Metropolitan Buildings, St Pancras Square, Kings Cross (1848)
- Gibson GardensGibson GardensGibson Gardens is a well-known historic tenement block of flats in Stoke Newington in London, EnglandThe flats were built by the Metropolitan Association for Improving the Dwellings of the Industrious Classes in 1880 and originally comprised 3 brick blocks of flats and a row of 'cottages' which...
, Stoke NewingtonStoke NewingtonStoke Newington is a district in the London Borough of Hackney. It is north-east of Charing Cross.-Boundaries:In modern terms, Stoke Newington can be roughly defined by the N16 postcode area . Its southern boundary with Dalston is quite ill-defined too...
(1880 - still existing) - Albert Street, Mile EndMile EndMile End is an area within the East End of London, England, and part of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It is located east-northeast of Charing Cross...
- exhibited for the Great Exhibition - Grosvenor Estate, Gatliff Road, PimlicoPimlicoPimlico is a small area of central London in the City of Westminster. Like Belgravia, to which it was built as a southern extension, Pimlico is known for its grand garden squares and impressive Regency architecture....
(1867) - Albert Cottages, StepneyStepneyStepney is a district of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets in London's East End that grew out of a medieval village around St Dunstan's church and the 15th century ribbon development of Mile End Road...
(1858 - still existing) - Alexandra Cottages, PengePengePenge is a suburb of London in the London Borough of Bromley. It is located south east of Charing Cross.-History:Penge was once a small town, which was recorded under the name Penceat in a Saxon deed dating from 957...
(still existing) - Farringdon Road Buildings, Farringdon